Russell Pedersen Playground

There are some parks and playgrounds in New York City that are named, not for historical celebrities or nearby streets, but for a local resident, a person who became identified with the park simply through their efforts to make it a better place for the neighborhood. Russell Pedersen (1947-1968), once a frequent volunteer in the playground that now bears his name, was one such generous spirit.

As a young man, Pederson often assisted Parks staff in what was then known as the 83rd Street and Colonial Road Playground. His involvement in park maintenance and his organization of park activities continued until his graduation from the adjacent Fort Hamilton High School in June of 1964, when he joined the United States Army.